ANTHONY JOSHUA has been advised to “play the game” if he wants to regain his title as a heavyweight champion.
Following back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk, which saw Joshua lose the WBA, WBO and IBF titles, he has now been told how he can return to his glory days.
Boxing legend Evander Holyfield, who is the only four-time heavyweight champ, has encouraged the Brit to be more aggressive in his approach and to use his physical advantages.
Speaking to iFL TV, he said: “Anthony Joshua is a good fighter, but if you don’t throw enough punches, you don’t use your size to your advantage.
“He is a big guy, he’s got to use the jab, everybody knew (Adonis) Stevenson had a great jab and that’s pretty much what he is throwing.
“Every time he catches you asleep with the jab, then you get hit with a right hand and you are out of there.
“Anthony Joshua can pretty much do the same thing, he is big and large and a good fighter.
“He actually can box, but he has to be a bit more aggressive you have to use your size to your advantage.
“Sometimes he gets with a guy, he won’t overbear him, he won’t push you down but they are trying to push him down.
“You have to play the game out right to not let somebody out-hustle you.”
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Joshua is looking to return to the ring early this year.
Last month, promoter Eddie Hearn earmarked Spring as the time of his return, though an opponent is yet to be confirmed.
A number of candidates are said to be in the running for the bout including Dillian Whyte and Deontay Wilder, while Otto Wallin has been declared the “perfect” opponent for AJ.
Another defeat could be catastrophic for his career, and despite Joshua changing his support staff TWICE in one year trainer Barry McGuigan insists the ultimate blame lies with him.
He told Boxing King Media: “The fact is he’s been around a few different trainers and that automatically makes you think he is blaming the trainer for not performing.
“The bottom line is it is with you.
“You are responsible for your performance. I think Joshua is going through a crisis, he needs to stop questioning himself. He’s got to knuckle down and get on with it.
“Whoever he goes with he has to concentrate on fighting aggressively whether he fights Usyk again or fights Tyson Fury.”
Joshua has gone to America to find his next trainer after splitting with Robert Garcia, with the former coach claiming Joshua needs a “stricter camp” to get back on top.
